According to the OECD, nearly half of Africa’s 54 countries—including top producers like Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe—have introduced restrictions or outright bans on the export of raw mineral ore in the past two years. The shift reflects a growing determination among African governments to move up the value chain and reap more domestic benefits from the global scramble for cobalt, lithium, copper, and rare earths.

Zimbabwe, the continent’s leading lithium producer, has banned exports of unprocessed lithium since 2022. The move has drawn criticism from foreign investors but is part of a broader national plan to encourage refinery construction and boost employment in the mining sector.

Uganda, Ghana, and Namibia have also begun implementing policies that require foreign firms to invest in local smelting and processing facilities as a condition for access to mining rights.

U.S. Faces New Reality in Africa

The Trump administration, which has made Africa a focal point of its critical minerals strategy to counter China, is facing unexpected friction. U.S. delegations seeking new deals for lithium and rare earths are now finding that African leaders expect not only trade—but also technology transfers, infrastructure investment, and job creation.

“Western buyers can no longer expect a colonial-style model where we export and they extract the value,” said a senior Ugandan official involved in recent U.S.-Africa mineral negotiations.

This policy stance complicates U.S. efforts to secure supply chains for clean energy technologies while sidestepping China, which still dominates global mineral refining. Washington has emphasized “friendly shore” sourcing, but African governments are increasingly focused on national development outcomes.

Balancing Growth and Partnerships

While some Western firms warn that export restrictions could scare away investment or violate WTO trade rules, African leaders argue the approach is necessary to break dependency cycles. “We cannot develop if we remain just raw material exporters,” Zimbabwe’s mining ministry said in a recent statement.

At the same time, analysts note that successful local processing initiatives require reliable electricity, skilled labor, and stable governance—challenges that persist in many mining regions.

Still, the momentum toward policy reform reflects a broader rethinking of Africa’s role in global supply chains. Instead of being treated as a warehouse of raw materials, more African nations now want to become full partners in the industrial value chain—and are willing to use legislation to make that happen.